System and method for implementing a suspended personal radiation protection system

Abstract

A personal radiation protection garment that substantially contours to an operator's body is suspended from a suspension means. The garment is operable to protect the operator from radiation. The suspension means is operable to apply constant force. The suspension means allows operator wearing protective radiation garment to move freely in the X, Y, and Z spatial planes simultaneously, such that the protective radiation garment is substantially weightless to operator. A radiation protection face shield and flap can also be suspended from suspension means, such that face shield and flap are substantially weightless to operator. The suspension means can be mounted to a ceiling.

Description

CLAIMING PRIORITY ON A PROVISIONAL[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 751371 filed Dec. 16, 2005.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates in general to medicine and, more particularly, to a suspended personal radiation protection garment.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Radiation is used to perform many medical diagnostic and therapeutic tests and procedures. Medical, veterinary, or research personnel may be involved in the performance of such procedures in great numbers and over many years, and are being exposed to scattered radiation as they perform their work. These long-term effects are poorly understood at the present time, but are considered serious enough to warrant mandatory protection to operators in the form of garments or barriers containing materials that absorb a significant proportion of the radiation. In order to properly treat patients, operators require a freedom of motion. Providing ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a method, system, and apparatus for a suspended personal radiation protection garment that solves previous problems associated with previous systems. The garment is designed to contour to the operator's body and is suspended from a suspension component. This allows the operator to move freely in the X, Y, and Z spatial planes simultaneously, while the garment is weightless to the operator. The suspension component can be mounted to a ceiling and includes a face shield and flap to protect the operator from radiation. The invention reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and allows operators to move about in substantially zero gravity, such that they can work long periods without fatigue. The technical effects of the invention include supporting the weight of the radiation protection garment, reducing the risk of cancers, cataracts, and skin damage, and improving operator's freedom of motion."

Problems solved by technology

Medical, veterinary, or research personnel may be involved in the performance of such procedures in great numbers and over many years, and are being exposed to scattered radiation as they perform their work.

These long-term effects are poorly understood at the present time, but are considered serious enough to warrant mandatory protection to operators in the form of garments or barriers containing materials that absorb a significant proportion of the radiation.

Providing a personal radiation protection garment that properly protects operators, while allowing operators to move freely and comfortably presents a significant challenge for medical operators in radiation environments.

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